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Vendors at Mido Optical Fair Look East
An increased interest in Asian markets emerged among exhibitors at the recent three-day show.
By Alessandra Turra on April 4, 2012
Céline eyewear.
A-Frame eyewear.
Roberto Cavalli eyewear.
Italian Eyewear Sector Looks to Mido 2021 as Exports Set to Fall 25 Percent
Zenni Creates Eyewear Collection With San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle
MILAN — An increased interest in Asian markets emerged among exhibitors at the recent three-day international optical fair Mido.
This reflected figures released by Anfao, Italy's optical goods manufacturer association, which reported deliveries of Italian eyewear to Asia rose 18.4 percent in 2011, accounting for 18 percent of Italy's total eyewear exports. The latter totaled 2.45 billion euros, or $3.4 billion at average exchange.
RELATED STORY: Italian Leathers Capitalize at Mipel >>
"The year 2012 is becoming a challenge and it's necessary to focus on those areas which were not affected by the crisis," said Safilo chief executive officer Roberto Vedovotto. "Asia, which is outperforming [the rest of the world], currently represents an extremely important market for us."
Vedovotto noted that Safilo is developing the distribution of sunglasses with Chinese and Asian fits in stores across Europe and the U.S. as well, to satisfy the needs of tourists — who are key consumers of luxury goods.
Marcolin Group is looking East, too, with a focus on developing specific products for the Asian market.
"Now we have to take all the advantages coming from the global market," said Marcolin Group ceo and general manager Giovanni Zoppas. "Europe is suffering, but we have to react, keeping in mind that it's currently impossible to generate profits without considering expansion in the Far East and South America."
Marchon Eyewear Inc. said business was strong everywhere, reporting a positive performance globally, according to president and ceo Claudio Gottardi. The New York-based firm posted 45 percent growth in the first two months of 2012.
"We have incredibly high growth rates and we are performing very well everywhere, even if the situation is more difficult in the Mediterranean area, including Greece, Portugal and Italy," added Nicola Zotta, Marchon vice president and managing director for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region.
At Mido, Marchon introduced new Valentino and Salvatore Ferragamo collections, along with a new Nine West line, which, for the moment, will be distributed only in the U.S.
"The acquisition of both the Valentino and Salvatore Ferragamo licenses adds credibility to our company, enriching our portfolio with two brands with a strong Italian heritage," said Zotta. "They are established labels, but they are also both focused on the future and have a strong appeal in emerging markets, such as China, Brazil and the Middle East."
To keep going global, Marchon also signed a licensing agreement with Chloé to manufacture and distribute the French brand's sun and ophthalmic lines this year.
At Mido, Marcolin presented two high-end special edition collections realized for Tom Ford and Roberto Cavalli.
The American designer created a Fifties-inspired optical eyewear capsule in water buffalo horn with gold-plated details, which will retail at $2,950.
For Roberto Cavalli, Marcolin manufactured the "Wild Diva" limited edition collection, consisting of printed acetate sunglasses showing exotic skin patterns including crocodile, shagreen and ostrich.
Aiming to enrich its luxury portfolio, the Italian eyewear maker also signed a preliminary licensing agreement with Balenciaga.
"Balenciaga is a sort of club, where customers have a strong, personal relationship with the brand," said style and licensing officer Maurizio Marcolin. "It's a great challenge to interpret its DNA and deliver a product able to represent the label's heritage."
In addition, the company unveiled the first Diesel optical collection and launched its Web Eyewear wood line, including aviator styles in maple, teak and rosewood.
Safilo showcased its first collection for Celine, which signed a five-year licensing agreement with the eyewear company in November.
"We are trying to reorganize our portfolio of licensed brands focusing on those that are still relevant for us both in terms of volume and profitability," Vedovotto said. "We consider Celine's acquisition a safe bet, because the label has strong brand awareness and equity."
At the fair, Safilo also said it finalized the acquisition of Polaroid. Vedovotto said this investment has "huge potential" and is part of Safilo's plan to improve the importance of its own Carrera and Safilo brands, which account for 20 percent of its total business.
Luxottica highlighted one of its house brands, too, dedicating its stand to Persol, which showcased the new Capri edition collection.
Inspired by the Isle of Capri and in particular Casa Malaparte, a red, arrow-shaped villa designed by Italian architect Adalberto Libera around 1937 for journalist, writer and diplomat Curzio Malaparte, the line offers two styles, one for men and one for women, at prices starting at $310.
For summer, Italia Independent, which posted 80 percent growth in the first two months of 2012, introduced I-Mirror mirrored glasses: thermo-sensitive frames available in a range of solids that unveil a camouflage pattern when they reach a temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. It also unveiled a range of photochromic lenses, called I-Chromic.
"We also worked with tattoo artist Mark Mahoney, who customized our sunglasses' arms reproducing the skyline of the most important cities in the world," said Italia Independent founder Lapo Elkann.
Italia Independent, which is gearing up to open a boutique in New York this year, also presented its in-store shop concept. It expects to open shops in 15 Italian independent opticians by June. The corners will carry T-shirts, helmets and carbon fiber bracelets, along with frames.
Mido registered a number of interesting international entries this season.
Japanese eyewear company Frency & Mercury made its Mido debut. Designer and founder Eque M. mixed Japanese craftsmanship with a Western taste to deliver a California and motorcycle-inspired collection of sunglasses and optical frames.
All the models, which feature visible screws as signature details, are handmade by Japanese artisans in the Fukui area, using only two-year-seasoned acetate, pure titanium and 18-karat gold or silver 925 for the metallic details.
"The business is going very well and we aim to get bigger in Europe," said Frency & Mercury European distributor Gabriele Evangelisti. "Currently, the companies in the middle segment are suffering, not those guaranteeing luxury, high-tech products."
Sophisticated technology is the main focus of PQ Eyewear, a new line designed by Ron Arad, which launched at Mido.
"I've approached eyewear as I do with architecture and interior design, trying to do something that wasn't done before," Arad said.
Handmade across Japan, France and England, the collection includes two advanced, high-tech frames. A-Frame features an A-shaped wire structure in the middle, allowing the user to move the lenses for a custom fit. Taking inspiration from animals' vertebrae, "Corbs" features flexible arms for more comfortable and durable styles. Unlike most glasses, they don't have screws, which usually have a tendency to loosen over time.
The fair also marked the eyewear debut of Italian luxury men's brand Stone Island, which launched carbon fiber sunglasses manufactured by EG Brands.
"Stone Island is EG's first license, and [they came through] with excellent products," said Stone Island president and creative director Carlo Rivetti.
Swedish contemporary label Cheap Monday also showcased its eyewear line at Mido for the first time, unveiling its "Crude Collection," consisting of 17 unisex frames, sold at about 150 euros, or $196, and treated to achieve a scraggy "crude" effect.
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Only available on paper - carefully printed, extremely limited collectors edition (73).
The book's physical specifications: 129mm x 198mm, pp.80 (i–x, 1–70), digital web printed on Munken Premium Cream 80gsm. Casebound with Wibalin Amethyst over 2500 mic boards. Tipped in colour portrait, loose gold ribbon marker. Letterpress printed Hahnemühle Bugra Butten 130gsm wrapper, presented in purple and white candystripe bag with edition plate on front. Hand numbered edition of 73 copies.
For more info about this album, including samples, see the Soundbites 4 tha reVelation micro-site.
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Opened the meeting and established a quorum. Selectmen present: Neil Davis, Nelson Grindal, Victor Smith. Also present: Treasurer Cindy Reilly, Hendrick Gideonse, Gardner Schneider, Robert Jones, Fire Chief David Carter, CEO Duane Ford, Assistant Barbara Grindle.
Signed the treasurer's warrant for $138,569.05: education was $120,231.54, fourth payment for the reassessment of $8,300, and $2,492.46 for a propane heater in the Town House.
TREASURER'S, ETC. BUSINESS: Moved and seconded to return the bill for $70 and appeal it. Voted 3-0 not to pay the bill from the ME Bureau of Labor Standards.
Tax Collector would like to have the old shades replaced with blinds in their office. Moved and seconded to put blinds in the tax collector/treasurer/clerk's office. Voted 3-0 to purchase blinds.
PUBLIC BUSINESS; Schneider asked if the selectmen had considered the possible ramifications of getting a grant for the town dock. They have done so.
Gideonse talked to the selectmen about creating a charter commission for the Hancock County Commissioners.
OLD BUSINESS: Haskell Electric: Working on the lights in the cellar.
Town Dock: Insurance adjuster and selectmen met and inspected the dock. There are planks to be replaced and then all will be well.
Tax Reassessment: The assessing agents are working on the cost valuations.
Polka Valley property: Davis to contact G.M.Allen with a price.
Cellar: Finishing up – Lights being put up, furnace room walls being fixed, fuel lines being inspected and shelving for boxes being built.
NEW BUSINESS: Gideonse had made his presentation regarding the charter commission.
Fire Chief Carter asked about the Mill Pond Access. They would like to access it for water in case of a fire in the area. Grindal will continue the talk with the owners and the Public Access Committee regarding the access.
Reported that Eric Allen has been asked to lay out the lines at Walker Pond with his GPS. At least one selectman will accompany him.
CEO REPORT: 1) He is keeping an eye on the drainage at the Pressman property. 2) At a training session he learned that many towns in the state are charging between 5 and 8 cents per foot for building notifications, depending on the type of construction. Currently we charge $5 for any construction. 3) The comprehensive plan is only good for 12 years before needing to be updated. Ours was passed in 1993. Perhaps this should be the next project for the planning board?
ADJOURN: There being no further business, the motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 7:50 pm. Voted 3-0 to adjourn.


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How High-End Brands Leverage Chinese Social Media During Fashion Week
Jing Daily
Burberry used Chinese social media to win consumers during their past two fashion shows by hosting a mini-podcast on WeChat.
Next month, Shanghai Fashion Week will be kicking off, not only offline, but online, as brands increasingly seek to engage a wider consumer audience in China. During the international fashion weeks over the last two months, luxury brands have also taken advantage of opportunities to use social media's instant access and far-reaching influence to reach those who couldn't attend or view the live shows. Battles between brands now happen not only on the runway, on TV, and in print, but also on social media, and things are becoming increasingly competitive.
Luxury brands have a smaller presence on Chinese social media than they do on social media outside of China. So how can Chinese social media be optimized during the international fashion weeks?
Here are nine great campaign strategies for fashion week:
WeChat: In-Depth Communication
WeChat, as China's leading social media app, had 768 million daily active users at the end of 2016, half of whom spend at least 90 minutes per day on the platform. According to L2 Inc.'s Luxury China survey, there are 107 luxury brands in China and 92 percent of them have official WeChat accounts. Here are some emerging trends during the fashion week for luxury brands on WeChat.
1. Well-targeted articles
This is the most common method brands adopt to connect with their customers on WeChat. WeChat users, especially brand fans and potential customers, follow the account to get fashion information and access to customer service. This approach guarantees highly visible content shared very directly to a targeted audience in real time.
During New York Fashion Week F/W 2017, Coach posted several articles on WeChat. An article entitled "Coach 2017 Fall" outlined the design concepts behind the new collection and the attached video featured the decorated show venue. Readers were also encouraged to click a virtual invitation letter to subscribe to the account to get the latest information about the "See Now, Buy Now" video model that allows viewers to purchase limited-edition products while watching the show.
Another article entitled "People in New York Love Themselves and Act Naturally" was an interview with five fashion bloggers about how they define the city, fashion trends, and the New York lifestyle. The content matched the tastes of a Chinese audience because four of the bloggers were Chinese. Each article posted during fashion week had more than 100,000 readers and hundreds of likes.
2. Dedicated menu sections for key content
Runway updates are always in demand during fashion week. Previously, these could only be accessed through fashion KOL accounts or by going to the company's official website and searching for them. This created a barrier between brands and consumers. With WeChat integration, brands are able to broadcast their runway news and photos directly to interested users through their official accounts.
For example, to better broadcast the 2017 fall/winter fashion weeks, Chloe created a dedicated section on its WeChat account called "Focus on the Scene". It contains three parts to show various aspects of the fashion fests and give users updates, video broadcasts, collection previews, backstage highlights, guest snapshots, and more.
3. Mini-podcasts
During fashion weeks in 2016 and 2017, Burberry published exclusive mini-podcasts from famous Chinese celebrities Kris Wu and Dongyu Zhou on its official WeChat account. They shared their insights during the fashion shows. The podcasts attracted a lot of attention from young fashion fans and are a new way for luxury brands to engage and bond with their audience.
Weibo: Mass Broadcasting
Compared to WeChat, Weibo is a much more open platform for information sharing, especially when it comes to raising public awareness in a short time. Although luxury brands currently take WeChat more seriously than Weibo, it's still a major promotion platform that contributes to higher interaction rates.
Here are some popular and effective approaches to fashion week seen on Weibo.
4. Creating hashtags
Weibo's hashtag topic function is often used to attract groups of users who have similar interests. Most luxury brands on Weibo have created their own hashtags, including those for each fashion week. During New York Fashion Week, Coach set up a new Weibo topic—#Coachfall2017#—to broadcast runway shows and showcase its fall collection. The topic attracted more than 31 million users, created about 28,000 discussions, and led to over 600 fan gatherings. Coach posted 21 status updates for this topic, including high quality product images with official website links and a series of live videos that drew large audiences.
Hashtags increase in value and relevance when media, celebrities, and KOLs use them, and partnering with celebrities and KOLs to promote hashtags directs public awareness to the topic and the brand.
5. Lucky draw campaigns
The public characteristics of Weibo allows brands to conduct lucky draw campaigns conveniently. With proper incentives, these campaigns help to achieve much wider exposure and engagement. A month ago, Michael Kors launched a lucky draw campaign for New York Fashion Week. An 8-second video was posted showing Gul Nazar, a Chinese star, carrying a Michael Kors handbag in New York. Viewers were asked to identify the bag shown in the video. Users who participated got a chance to win the handbag. Incentives can take various forms, but this form of Q&A campaign format is a great way to spread the word about a brand's new products.
Live-Streaming: Catering to the Fan Economy
Live-streaming fashion shows has become a new trend for luxury brands. It's up-to-the-minute, direct, and often uses original formats. They can include runway shows, backstage preparation, celebrity interviews, and more.
Young consumers in China have taken an increasingly important role in luxury consumption. They're attracted to the products as well as the lifestyle and image projected by brands. Since young viewers make up the majority of live-stream audiences, this is a good direction for fashion houses.
7. Exclusive broadcasts
In January 2017, Dior launched its Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 fashion show and exclusively broadcast it on Tencent TV. During the live-stream, more than 6.6 million viewers watched. Half of them were from the post 90s and millennial generation.
8. Cooperation with celebrities and KOLs
During New York Fashion Week in September 2016, Coach invited Tang Yan and Li Yifeng, two famous Chinese celebrities to do a live stream of their visits to the Coach showroom. The two live-streams received over 3 million views and 7 million interactions in total. These impressive results show the power of live-streams to attract and involve an audience.
9. See now, buy now
Luxury brands have introduced a "see now, buy now" function to their broadcasts and live-streams. Customers can instantly buy online and in stores after the runway show.
During New York Fashion Week 2016 and 2017, Tommy Hilfiger used the see now, buy now approach in its Chinese market in conjunction with Tmall live-streaming. The brand invited three celebrities to live stream the fashion show. They did promos with the celebrities before the show to spread the word. During the show, the audience could purchase new products below the live-stream on Tmall, which instantly drove up online sales. This was a revolutionary strategy that localized the brand and improved the purchasing experience for Chinese consumers.
Based on the best practices listed above and upcoming trends, here are our fashion week recommendations for luxury brands on Chinese social media:
1. Use WeChat as a presentation platform that allows your audience to search for fashion collection photos and information.
2. Incorporate more celebrities/KOLs in your WeChat content, with exclusive interviews, Q&A sessions and lucky draws to increase exposure and consumer loyalty.
3. Weibo is for a mass audience, broadcast oriented, and suited to fashion show previews, live streams, and backstage photos.
4. Involve more fashion-related KOLs in your fashion week promos.
5. Broadcasting fashion shows live to Chinese audiences on platforms like Yizhibo, Meipai, and Tencent can help luxury brands get more attention and enhance customers' experience, especially when celebrities and KOLs are involved.
About ChoZan
ChoZan is a resources platform for marketers who work with WeChat, Weibo and other Chinese social media. ChoZan provides step-by step navigators, consumer trend analysis, case studies, KOL databases, helpdesk support and more. To learn more, check out ChoZan's blog here.
About the writers
Ashley Galina Dudarenok – Head of ChoZan
Ashley worked in China for four years before moving to Hong Kong in 2010. For over 10 years she worked with Chinese social media, opinion leader marketing, and creative campaigns. Ashley is the founder of ChoZan and often shares her knowledge and experience in a variety of magazines, including SCMP, Hong Kong Economic Times and WeiPo Daily. Ashley is also a frequent speaker at WeChat Conference, China Marketing Summit, TEDx, and others.
Susie Hu – Head of Operations ChoZan
Shanghai local, Susie arrived to Hong Kong to pursue her education and has been there ever since. She has been working with Chinese social media for the past three years and is also a successful Weibo blogger and spends much of her time journaling.
burberry, coach, fashion, live-streaming, luxury consumption, marketing, new york fashion week, see now buy now, shanghai fashion week, social media, tmall, wechat, weibo
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A beach wedding means sun, sand, cocktails and a lot of music and fun. It also means choosing the perfect wedding dress that will fit the vibe of a wedding by the ocean and one in which you will feel comfortable in.
Sun, sand and ocean breezes all have a huge effect on what feels and looks good to wear. I wanted to help you so for today, I rounded some super clever tips and some romantic beach wedding dresses that will make you the most beautiful bride in the world.
Slits, lace and billowing skirts help maintain comfort and airflow.
The bigger the wedding dress, the harder to transport. A dress with many layers will definitely cost more money as well as frustration.
Big, yet expensive gowns can cost a real fortune to clean, especially if they are made of some extra special material.
Unlike satin-silk and polyester-silk dresses, gauzy organza and chiffon weigh less and give you a little air.
I think that there's nothing more romantic than exchanging your vows on a breathtaking beach with the sound of the ocean. To feel super confident, amazing and charming, I advise you to choose a dress that will flow over the lines of the body to give a smooth and soft silhouette, complimented by loose curly hairstyle and a fresh flower crown. Avoid wearing a formal bridal gown with a full skirt and bodice.
If you are getting married at the water, there is always the change of a strong breeze, so don't wear accessories that might blow around. To reduce the risk of embarrassment, I advice you to skip the mini skirted dresses. Many brides choose not to wear a veil too.


Over at the Millennial tribe, Taylor and Figgy are laying in the shelter talking. Taylor admits, "I really like Figs. She's super rad and easy to be around." He finds her beautiful and feels he maybe falling in love. Figgy is also attracted to Taylor. That night, Michaela catches the two of them kissing by the fire. The next morning she calls them out on it in front of the tribe. Taylor doesn't deny it, but he is a little worried about what the others will think. Everyone teases them, but doesn't appear to be bothered by it. Figgy comments, "My tribe doesn't even consider Taylor and myself being a power couple threat and maybe it's because we're the Millennials." When Taylor and Figgy leave the camp to walk on the beach, the remaining tribe starts talking about them. Zeke points out to Mari and Jay that Taylor and Figgy are isolating themselves. He knows that Millennials are casual about people hooking up, but feels this is dangerous in game of SURVIVOR. Jay comments, "Figgy and Taylor are frigging stupid man! No couple ever lasts on SURVIVOR." Jay feels that Taylor is being blinded by Figgy. He is also concerned that Taylor and Figgy's relationship could weaken his game, since they are in his alliance. Jay tries to knock some sense into Taylor when he warns him that power couples are foolish. He also tells Taylor that he is not willing to ruin his game to protect them. Taylor assures Jay that everything will work out. Jay is sure that Taylor is not thinking straight.
Ken is out in the ocean with the fishing equipment trying to catch some food for his Gen-X tribe. He is comfortable in nature and is proud to catch an octopus with the sling. Ken also knows that his social game is important in SURVIVOR. He admits, "I'm socially shy sometimes. It's something that plagued me my entire life." Ken can relate to David's social awkwardness in the game. Later, David helps Ken clean the octopus, which gives them the chance to talk strategy. They both agree that Paul is the leader of the majority alliance of which neither one of them is a member. Ken suggests to David that they make a move to break up the alliance, rather than wait to be voted out. David is amused that he and Ken are allies, because they are so physically different. He is smaller and weaker, while Ken is built like an athlete. David admits, "I like Ken a lot and in SURVIVOR you absolutely need at least one person that you can trust." David wants to prove to his loyalty to Ken, so he shows him the hidden immunity idol that he found. Ken assures David that he will not tell anyone else about the idol. Ken comments, "Dave has an idol. I think we'll be using that to band together and do something big." Both Ken and David hope to vote out Paul next.
At the Millennial camp, Hannah works hard to open a coconut. Mari admits, "We didn't realize playing this game would be so hard." SURVIVOR seemed so much easier when she watched it on television. The Millennial tribe is all gathered around the fire. Michaela watches Figgy once again flirt with Taylor. She comments, "This girl is dumb, like you're supposed to kind of blend in a little at the beginning." Jay warns Michaela to be careful with the machete as she uses it to cut a piece of sugar cane right behind him. Michaela responds, "Don't worry. It wouldn't be aimed at you." Figgy realizes that Michaela is joking about aiming it at her, so she asks Michaela what the problem is. Michaela tells her to be quiet and just whisper to Taylor some more. The rest of the Millennial tribe is amused by the verbal insults going back and forth between Michaela and Figgy. Figgy vents, "This girl is crazy. I want her as far away from me as possible." She wants Michaela out next. Taylor tries to diffuse the situation and invites Figgy to take a walk with him. Adam comments, "Clearly Figgy's put herself in the cross hairs." He feels she has broken the basic rules of SURVIVOR, which are to start slow, don't fight with your tribe mates and don't have a romance with a tribe mate.
The Millennial and GenX tribes arrive at the immunity challenge. The Millennials see that Rachel was voted out of the Gen-X tribe at the last Tribal Council. Jeff Probst explains the rules of this challenge. One person from each tribe will dive into the water, race up a cargo net, leap off a platform and retrieve a key. Then the next person goes. Once a tribe has retrieved all five keys, they will use them to unlock a chest, which contains a mask. The mask will be used by a person to dive down and retrieve five rings. One person from each tribe will then toss those rings and attempt to land them on a series of targets. The first tribe to finish wins immunity and is safe from the vote. In addition, they are playing for the reward of a tarp. The Millennial tribe has one extra person, so Hannah sits out of the challenge.
MILLENIAL TRIBE – FIGGY OR MARI?
Zeke is actually looking forward to going to Tribal Council. He explains, "I came to vote people out and I came to win a million dollars." Zeke feels Figgy should go home, since he can't trust her and they need to break up her and Taylor. He tells Mari and Hannah why they should join him in voting for Figgy. None of them feel that Figgy will suspect that she is getting voted out tonight. Later, Adam, Michaela and Hannah meet and agree to also vote out Figgy tonight. Michaela is happy to break up the power couple of Taylor and Figgy. She comments, "That couple is about to go back down to one really quick." Zeke and Adam then meet with Jay and encourage him to vote out Figgy. Jay admits, "Unless something happens and things go crazy, which they usually do, my alliance is gone." Jay then breaks the bad news to Michelle about one of their alliance members being voted out tonight. Michelle tells Jay they cannot let that happen or they will no longer be in the majority alliance. She proposes that they encourage everyone to vote Mari out instead. Jay likes that plan. Michelle explains, "Mari is really dangerous because she's smart, but tonight's Tribal Council is about keeping people that I know will stick with me." Michelle and Jay know they have to get Michaela to reconcile with Figgy and join them in their vote against Mari. So, Jay has a meeting with Figgy and Michaela and tells them that Zeke wants to vote Figgy out first and then Michaela. Figgy is shocked to hear this. She admits, "Michaela and I have definitely had our differences, but she has to stick with us." Figgy tells Michaela that she would like to work with her and has no hard feelings about the past. Michaela was ready to happily cast her vote for Figgy. She comments, "If Jay's telling the truth, I could definitely be in trouble." At this point, Michaela is not sure whom to vote for. Next, Michelle encourages Will to join their alliance and vote out Mari tonight. Will does not trust Figgy, but he sees that Mari is also a dangerous player. He feels uncomfortable about changing his vote right before Tribal Council. Michelle comments, "This first Tribal Council is going to draw the line." She hopes that Figgy is safe tonight.
As the Millennial tribe enters Tribal Council, Jeff Probst instructs them to light their torches. He tells them that this is part of the ritual of Tribal Council because in this game fire represents their life. When their fire is gone, so are they. Adam is so excited to be at Tribal Council and see how amazing it looks in person. Mari is used to a two dimensional world when she is playing video games. She admits that it is tougher to be face to face with your competitors like you are on Survivor, because you get to know them and care about them. Zeke says, "I feel like I'm my best version of myself out here." He is amazed that he was able to start fire without flint and finds the whole experience to be incredible. Michaela points out that sometimes people's worst side comes out in this game. Hannah comments that some people are closer than others as she reveals how close Taylor and Figgy are. Taylor and Figgy admit to Jeff that they feel it is early enough in the game for their relationship not to be a problem, Michelle whispers to Hannah to vote for Mari tonight. Hannah is surprised to hear this. Zeke admits that it bothers him that Figgy and Taylor are more loyal to each other than to him. Michaela feels that Figgy and Taylor must feel they are dumb if they don't think others will mind how close they are to each other. Hannah continues to whisper with Michelle and Jay about the vote tonight. Mari is not worried about Hannah's side conversation, because she is used to her being paranoid. Jeff then calls for the Millennial tribe to cast their votes. Before Jeff reveals the votes, he asks if anyone would like to play an immunity idol. No idol is played. Jeff reveals the first nine votes. Figgy receives 3 votes, while Mari receives 6 votes. So, Mari Takahashi, a 31-year old Gamer from Los Angeles, CA is the second person voted out of SURVIVOR: MILLENIALS VS GENX.


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Senior Eye Ad Sparks Outrageously Juvenile Compulsion
We're minding our own business, reading an article on reverse mortgages for a fear-induced high, when we see this ad for Jeffrey D Horn, MD, vision specialist.
And now we feel this insane compulsion to don a white coat, walk down the street and bark "Cataracts slowing you down? GET YOUR ZOOM BACK!" at innocent spectacled passersby. If we didn't have titanic strength of will we most undoubtedly would, unbridled and uncut.
Sometimes your message just doesn't interpret the way it ought to. But maybe it's not the ad. Maybe we should just stop trolling senior citizen websites. Maybe we should stop mixing vodka in our orange juice at breakfastime. There could be a thousand contributing factors here.
by Angela Natividad Mar-16-07
Topic: Online, Strange
Organ Procurers Use Stitches to Spread Word
In a perhaps misguided attempt to encourage people to donate organs, Fondation Greffe de Vie releases the following campaign by Leo Burnett/Paris.
We can't read the copy but according to AdCritic it says divorcing a part or two can save up to seven lives. If that doesn't make you feel more charitable, look closely at the image. "Merci" is etched into the flesh beneath the stitching. Isn't that sweet?
Topic: Magazine, Strange
Flooring Ad Goes Retro. Brings Back Enchanted Housewife
While we're quite sure this is tongue in cheek and an homage advertising pre-feminist glory days, we're still not quite sure what flooring materials have to do with an attractive woman. Created by Shine Advertising, the campaign supposedly "hinges on day-in-the-life moments, in which the oft-ignored flooring actually becomes the focal point of an event." It's all designed to appeal to the Mcmansion crowd who want to feel as if they're a part of an economic class of which they will never be a part. Oh yea, that's aspirational advertising. Basically the point of every ad campaign created. But what's up with the fawning females and that ridiculous copy?
Having disingenuously defecated on the campaign, this might work better as a trade campaign. After perusing through Floor Covering Installer Magazine with its ceaseless parade of dull product shot advertising, this campaign would certainly catch a glimpse from the almost entirely male demo that makes up that industry. See two other versions of the ad here and here.
by Steve Hall Mar-13-07
Topic: Campaigns, Magazine, Strange
Orange Ponders Life After Death Before Becoming Drink Ingredient
Here's one of those ads that makes you want to check your arms for track marks to make sure you aren't high on something. In this entrancing Innocent smoothie commercial, an orange introspectively ponders life after death as he prepares to become part of the product. You can see more of the refreshingly odd campaign here.
The campaign is not endorsed by Innocent but an effort by Swedish agency Peacock Advertising to pitch the account.
Topic: Campaigns, Commercials, Strange
Want Vagina with that Bagel? Hit Boise
Oh, ick. Adfreak points us over to this ad for the River City Bagel and Bakery in Boise, Idaho. Apparently they wanted to get a little clever and tie their product to the Vagina Monologues, which is playing in the area.
We're not prudes about anatomy but the thought of quim over our next lox shmear brings us close to queasy.
Topic: Bad, Newspaper, Strange
Ten Biggest Cocks in UK Advertising Highlighted in Video
There's a bunch of big cocks (no, not that kind) in UK advertising and they're all highlighted in this BBC video clip presented by British comedian Charlie Brooker. Not much else to say. Just watch. Oh, and who would you nominate for biggest cocks in US advertising?
Topic: Good, Strange, Video
Calvin Klein Wants In 2 U
Aside from the obvious mis-steps such as the use of IM vernacular and Flash which makes impossible the ability to link to specific content within the new site for Calvin Klein's CKin2U perfume as pointed out by Adland, does anyone else look at this visual of a guy pressing up against a girl and read CocK in 2 U? We thought not. Which is why we have the dirty mind and you don't.
UPDATE: There's an online social networking site that accompanies the campaign.
by Steve Hall Mar- 9-07
Topic: Brands, Strange
Peter Potty Teaches Pre-Pubescents How a Papa Peter Pisses
Because all great men should start as "little stand up guys," Peter Potty pushes its stand-and-flush toddler urinal for people who want to train their tiny soldiers how a real man takes the piss.
If you think the product's total genius, an on-site Oprah banner allows proud mums to nominate it as a gift. Chances are a slew of nominations will put the man-making Peter Potty into a pipeline for products Oprah can claim to love insatiably on her next special. We're really looking forward to seeing her gush about this one so do cast a vote.
by Angela Natividad Mar- 9-07
Topic: Strange
Seeking Next Drunken Stroke of Genius? Try a Pokemon Car
There's a running Ebay sale for a Dodge Neon covered in over 1500 Pokemon cards from both the first and second generation. With a bid over $600 and seven days left running, we think the guys that did it have a decent chance of meeting their $7000 reserve, particularly if the sip and click trend keeps claiming victims.
"Just think about it," says Hypothetical Drunk Friend #1. "Can't you imagine how fucking awesome it would be to have a Pokemon car? When will we ever have this chance again?!"
"You're right!" exclaims Hypothetical Drunk Friend #2. "There's only 5 minutes left on the auction. Let's do this."
Auction end is met with hysterical giggles. Until the next morning.
Dun dun duuuuun.
Topic: Good, Online, Strange
Internet Walk. What?
Remember that weird You are Music thing Nokia did, the thing with the bodysuit guy and the rapper? To push the N800 internet tablet, Sweden's FarFar brings us more weird, somewhat off-putting work with The Internet Walk, which plays on the notion of taking the internet to places it's never been.
Sounds like a good idea in theory but we don't get this at all. And now we can't get the annoyingly lyrical "Come on" out of our heads.
Topic: Brands, Online, Promotions, Strange


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Mechanisms of Agency
The following is a non-exhaustive catalog. Note that these mechanisms are in fact emergent properties of the system under study, a fact which has some fairly profound consequences when considering the lowest known levels in physical systems. Read Ervin Laszlo's chapter, Aspects of Information, in Evolution of Information Processing Systems (EIPS) for more theoretical background.
The most trivial form of stability we can think of is an agent existing in the same place over time without change. This may only make sense as you read on, so don't get caught up here.
Keeping time in the equation but allowing physical location to vary, we see that agents can move and continue to exist and be recognized as the "same". This is obvious in the physical world we live in, but consider what is going on with gliders in the Game of Life. The analogy is more than loose since cellular automata are network topologies which mirror physical space in one or two dimensions. Contrast this to other network topologies, such as the brain, which has many more than two dimensions in its state space.
Metastability
Gliders also exhibit a form of metastability in addition to movement. What is meant by this is that the structure of the glider goes through a cycle of distinct states (4 to be exact) and arrives back at the original state it started in. Other structures in the Game of Life are like this too, including oscillators, which cycle like the glider but don't move on the grid. Other examples of metastability include equilibrium in dynamic systems, e.g. population genetics, financial markets, electromagnetic fields, etc. In mathematical terms, metastability can be characterized by an attractor or basin of attraction. Quite literally, a mountain lake with an incoming stream and outgoing stream is a basin of attraction, with the lake itself being a meta-stable structure; the constituent water molecules continually flow into, around and out of the lake, yet we recognize the lake as existing separately from the water molecules, as an emergent structure which is stable as long as the rate of flow in matches the rate of flow out.
Depending on how broadly you define the "meta" part, everything we are talking about in this post is a form of metastability. For instance, "metastastic cancer" refers to the notion that phenomena seemingly distant and distinct from the primary tumor is actually a part of the same cancerous process that is responsible for the primary tumor. Even though parts of the cancerous system are in motion, taken as a whole, the cancer is in a metastatic state, i.e. in that it continues its existence as an observable distinct system.
One of the most prevalent and important mechanisms for agent stability in biological systems is self-repair: wound-healing, immune systems, error-correction in DNA/RNA transcription and synthesis, and others. Autocatalytic chemical sets, when viewed as agents, exhibit a very pure form of self-repair in that they are continuously regenerating their own constituent parts through catalysis. Social agents such as the modern firm or governmental agencies have mechanisms built into their formation documents which call for and bring about the replacement of functional members that quit, get fired or end their term (e.g. president, janitor, HR manager, etc).
Self-Similarity
Fractals are "self-similar" structures, meaning that of you look at them at any level of magnification they look similar. Self-similarity is a form of agency, but it may not be intuitively obvious how so. Consider the classic Russian dolls, where inside one you find another identical one (except for size), and inside that another, and so on. By opening the outer layer and destroying it, you are left with a very similar system with all the same properties as before except smaller and with one fewer doll. Even though you destroyed a part of the agent, in once sense the agent still continues to exist. Self-similarity is found everywhere in nature from galaxies to solar systems, plant structures, nautilus shells, crystals, and so on.
At first blush it may not seem obvious how reproduction (both asexual and sexual) can be thought of as a yielding agency. However, consider a single-cell organism such as a bacterium. It has a particular structure, including a unique genetic code.* The cell divides, creating a "daughter" cell, and now suppose that shortly thereafter the parent cell dies. Now imagine a continued progression of this process creating a chain of descent from parent to child, to grandchild, and so on. Now consider the chain itself as a system, an agent if you will. That agent survives, in a remarkably stable form, through the mechanism of reproduction.
You may object, but the chain isn't an agent, its constituent parts are. Yet this statement is a critical fallacy, one that belies the limitations of a reductionist-only model. The chain is a system with inputs, outputs and internal structure, just like the cells themselves are (but at a lower level). Agency is a model, a subset of a similar model, that of a system. The notion of the cell itself is a just model that helps us simplify the description and our understanding of a very complex set of structures and dynamics that occur between biochemical molecules in a repeatable and partially predictable way.
Looking at things from this perspective, we see that populations of individual organisms (species, phyla, sub-populations within species, etc) are agents which use reproduction as an essential stability mechanism.
Representation & Prediction
Laszlo points out (EIPS, p.65): "Any given system tends to map its environment, including the environing systems, into its own structure." Daniel Dennett claims that the fundamental purpose of the brain — to choose a clear example — is to "produce future". Which is to say the brain allows the organism qua agent it resides in to predict the future state of the world, both independent of the organism and also taking into account all of the actions and plans of the organism itself. For instance, a cat takes in visual and olfactory information and over time forms a mental map of your house and where the food is. When hungry, the cat's brain predicts that by moving to the location where the food is on the map that it will find actual food. Sometimes this prediction comes true, and other times it does not (as when the food bowl is empty, or has been moved to another location).
It is critically unimportant whether we consider the prediction and mapping to be a conscious or even intentional activity. We may consider systems where there is clearly "just" a stimulus-response process going on, such as in the immune system.** Yet, it is clear that the the immune system works by creating a mapping of the environment of pathogens and "good" entities (i.e. your own cells). It can also be considered to predict future states of its environment, namely that works on the premise where there is one pathogen there are likely many more of the same kind. Don't get hung up on the intentionality-laden subtext of words like "predict" and "should". Instead, consider them from a purely functional perspective. There needn't be a controlling consciousness or designer involved for representation or prediction to occur in agents.
An even more subtle point is the irrelevance of whether mapping and prediction happens "on-the-fly" as the agent interacts with the environment, or whether these features are "baked into the system" by an evolutionary process or a design process. In designed systems, such as computers, it is easy to see that both representation and prediction can occur by being baked into the system via hardware or software. In certain computer systems, mapping and prediction happen on-the-fly as well, such as in the Roomba robot vacuum that cleans your house. We've discussed on-the-fly mapping and prediction w.r.t. two evolutionary systems, the brain and the (active) immune system.
There is of course baked-in mapping and prediction in most evolutionarily produced agents. DNA is just one example. Encoded in DNA is an implicit map of the environment in which proteins will get synthesized, as well as a mapping of the environment in which the organism (once formed) will find itself. In general it is not easy (nor is it relevant) to distinguish between representation and prediction; they are two sides of the same coin, and one does not make complete sense without the other.
Informational Feedback
Feedback loops of information are ubiquitous in complex adaptive systems. It is thought that the complexity in "complex" systems derives from informational feedback. However, not all feedback leads to increased complexity. For instance, in so-called "negative feedback" loops, the result is often equilibrium (a form of stability) or the destruction of the system itself. In "positive feedback" loops, growth often occurs, but runaway growth can lead to system instability and destruction as well. With subtly positive and subtly negative feedback, we often see complex (and chaotic) systems behaviors, including systems in states described as "far from equilibrium". Such systems can be quite stable and resilient, or they can exist on the "edge of chaos" and easily be tipped into self-destruction or what I call an autocatalytic unwinding.
Planning & Intentionality
These stability mechanisms are the ones most accessible and understandable to us humans, as we employ them on a regular basis and can most easily reflect on them. I don't need to say much here except to point out that consciousness (in the traditional sense) does not necessarily need to be involved. All mammals and reptiles do some sort of planning in their daily activity, whether it be to catch prey, build nests, or move from one location to another. The neurological mechanisms that achieve planning are unimportant, except to say that they involve more than simple stimulus response; they require some form of working memory as well. Intentionality is just another way distinguishing the activity of planning from more automatic seeming activities.
Self-Consistency
As information feeds back within agents, potential always exists for internal conflict. Psychological phenomena such as cognitive dissonance and many forms of pathology are usually modeled as internal conflict and the attempted resolution thereof. Self-consistency is the the opposite of internal conflict, a form of harmony or coherence. At the physical level, waves (in the ocean, or electromagnetic) can harmonize and thereby combine energies, preserving structure, or they can conflict and dampen each other out. Coherence at the quantum level refers to the same sort of self-consistency. Belief systems, as a set of memes, can be more or less self-consistent (from a logical perspective anyway), and thus be more or less resilient in the face of logical attack. One may note that Catholicism, and other ancient religions, as practiced today are often attacked not on the question of their a priori credibility but rather their seemingly contradictory tenets (memes). Notwithstanding an external arbiter or definition, "truth" is simply the self-consistency of logical consequences of a set of assumptions/memes. Once inconsistency has been found, truth-value (at least in formal systems) is destroyed. Even in informal systems, such as the scientific community, inconsistency tends to lead to system breakdown, though not as fast or thoroughly as most scientists would like to think.
From the standpoint of agent/system stability, individual cultures persist and thrive through interlocking, self-consistent and self-reinforcing shared beliefs and values (i.e. a set of memes). In America, some of the more prominent memes are "Independence is a virtue", "Individual freedoms and rights are paramount", "There exists a single, omnipotent, omniscient God", "Truth is knowable by us humans", "Justice will prevail in this lifetime", and so on. Contrast this with cultures where individualism is less important than group consensus, personal honor is paramount, monotheism is not the norm, mysticism is valued, judgment can only be expected in the afterlife, etc. It's clear that some sets of memes are more self-consistent or self-reinforcing than others, and also that individual memes are not all treated equally within a culture. Cultures evolve over time, new memes are created to resolve memetic conflicts, old memes are subjugated or reviled. Culture is passed down from generation to generation, with modification/mutation. Cultures interact with one another, they clash (e.g. the so-called "war on terror") and they become hybrid (as in the "melting pot" or "salad bowl"). There are also sub-cultures just as there are sub-populations.
Agents compete with one another when there are fewer resources available than the population of agents needs as a whole. Resources are defined as anything material (such as food) or immaterial (such as attention from others) that have an impact on future existence or stability. Sometimes resources are not limited, or are renewable, and in those cases competition does not benefit the original agent (at least not directly). To engage in competition under such circumstances is a waste of energy that could be deployed elsewhere. On the other hand, competing and winning a set of resources that are not scarce can lead to a future in which the agent does not have to compete for other resources. The most obvious example is if one agent destroys (i.e. kills) another, then all future competition is obviated (for instance, competition for limited food).
Cooperation comes in a number of forms (e.g. symbiosis, parasitism, tacit agreements, explicit agreements, altruism, etc.) In cooperation, two or more agents interact with one another in such a way as to at least make one of them "better off" than before, if not all. In altruistic behavior, an agent makes itself worse off so that another agent may do even better, however over multiple iterations of altruism, individual agents can do better than if they compete. Much has been written about cooperation and competition in the context of game theory and the Prisoner's Dilemma, so I won't belabor it here.
Like porn, it's hard to define but we know it when we see it. I will develop a theory of mind more fully in this blog as time goes on, but for now I will just point out that whatever consciousness is, we recognize it as something different than other activities of the brain and nervous system. In the language of this blog, consciousness is an emergent phenomenon, a level or so above activities like planning, pattern matching, and autonomic response. Laszlo suggest that consciousness is a "limiting case" of an informational feedback process between progressively higher levels, in other words it's "the final output of the internal analysis of internal analyses." (EIPS, p.67)
One hallmark of consciousness is an awareness of "self" as an entity that is aware of many things, including being aware of being aware, etc. When combined with prediction and planning we can see how this self-referential structure adds value from the perspective of system stability and continuity. Not only can humans predict the future of their environment, but they can also predict the future "self", which of course enables more accurate and stronger predictions of the environment with which the self is interacting. I know that if I eat this whole cake, it will taste yummy and I will feel good for a short while. But I also know that I will feel really bad later because of the massive sugar content and its effect on my digestion and also because I will deny my loved ones of the pleasure of cake. On the other hand, my dog is in the corner with a guilty look on his face, clearly scheming (aka planning) on how to approach and eat the entire cake without my noticing and punishing him.
Whether you view my dog in this scenario as exhibiting consciousness or not is besides the point, as is our anthro-centric need to qualify human consciousness as entirely distinct from other phenomena in the world. The point is that consciousness as a mechanism for agent stability is distinct from less complex, lower-level mechanisms from which it emerges.
Upward Bolstering & Downward Constraint
Agents emerge from lower-level agents interacting with one another. So it logically follows that if all the lower level agents are destroyed or their interactive dynamics modified sufficiently, the higher-level agent(s) would cease to exist in the former case or or become unstable in the latter. Thus agent stability is a function of (though not completely dependent on) the lower level from which the agent emerges. In the example of the lake given above, evaporation of water would lead (if unchecked) to the lake's own destruction. Similarly, cancer is (in part) instability of the cellular structure, which is (in part) due to corresponding instabilities at lower levels (e.g. genetic, genomic, and more).
From The Chaos Point. Reproduced with permission from the author. Handwritten notes added by me.
On the flip side, agents are constrained by levels which emerge above it. For instance, when multi-cellular life emerged from colonies of symbiotic single celled organisms, some of the mechanisms that lead to stability of the single cells (such as reproduction and motility) were destabilizing to the colony itself. In order for the higher-level agent to survive and become more stable it "found" (through evolution) mechanisms to curb or offset destructive amounts of reproduction (c.f. apoptosis) and destructive motility (c.f. cellular lattice tissue structures). A more simple example which everyone can appreciate is the motion-stabilizing effect that ice — an agent which emerges under certain temperature/pressure conditions — has on its lower-level agents, water molecules.
CANCER My current view of cancer is that it involves an unshackling of the stabilizing influences from both below the cellular tissue level (as in genetic and genomic instability), and perhaps as importantly from above (as in exposure to mutagens, compromised or inefficient immune response). This somewhat heretical view*** has logical implications not appreciated fully even by those who understand the core concepts. Chiefly, the vast majority of approaches to curing cancer are misguided at best, and actually accelerate mortality in some cases. Additionally, as argued by Henry Heng, the scientific community and reductionist philosophy in particular has been (understandably) completely and utterly blind to an obvious conclusion. Which is that the levels above cancer — and the agents at the same level — constitute a "cancer environment" that is extremely important if we are ever going to "cure" cancer. In other words, curing cancer can in part be accomplished by preventing its outbreak/emergence in the first place. And finally, approaches which do not acknowledge the downward constraints imposed from level to level may be wholesale doomed to failure. Much more will be said about this in future posts.
SOCIO-TECHNOLOGY That technology stabilizes itself and helps stabilize socio-technical systems is a claim that many would take exception to, arguing for the entirely new existential threats posed by the advent of nuclear and biological weapons, to name just two. However, I will argue that such a view takes too narrow a definition of stability. My claim is that despite the new "variance" in socio-technical stability, the the tendency (aka "expected value") is towards stability. As socio-technical systems evolve, if they don't destroy themselves, they become more stable, buttressed by the human level below and whatever emergent levels are to come above. More on this in future posts as well.
* Remember, point-mutations are the rule, not the exception, so it is very likely that any two bacterium cells chosen at random have slightly different DNA sequences. This heterogeneity is a precondition for natural selection to occur.
** Note that there are two basic types of immune systems, adaptive (found only in jawed vertebrates) and innate (found in nearly all forms of life). The differences do not matter for the argument at hand.
*** Though I should note there is a substantial, if unorganized group of researchers who share this view, including Arny Glazier, Henry Heng, Richard Somiari, Albert Kovatich, Carlo Maley and many others versed in complexity theory.
Cultural Agency
Types of Emergence
Comments on Human Cultural Transformation
Response to "Superorganism Considered Harmful"
Agency, Emergence, Levels, Stability
Inter-Level Interactions
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About Us Sports Journalism Blog Chicago
Weekly Roundup: October 31-November 6
Posted on November 7th, 2016 in Weekly Roundup by reaharri
Local Indianapolis NBC affiliate broadcasts a moving story about a son watching Game 7 with his late father Buck Harvey says goodbye to the Express-News after 30 years as a writer and columnist in San Antonio Social issues and sports collide in this story about high school football in a border town and a boy from Mexico …
Underrated: Michael Gbinije's turbulent road to success at Syracuse
Posted on March 26th, 2016 in 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional, Student Work by ztwagner
By David Mackey |@davidmackey_iii Sports Capital Journalism Program CHICAGO – Syracuse guard Michael Gbinije has led the Orange with averages of 17.8 points, 4.4 assists and 2.0 steals this season. He has scored in double digits in all 34 games and topped 20 points 12 times. In the three NCAA tournament games that have taken …
Virginia knocking on the door of the Final Four
By Jack Carney | @jackwcarney CHICAGO – When Tony Bennett took the head coaching position at Virginia in 2009, the Cavaliers had finished 10th and 11th in the Atlantic Coast Conference in their two previous seasons. Seven years later, Bennett has the Wahoos knocking on the door of the Final Four, a stage in the …
Postcard from Chicago: Taking the time to learn, reflect, improve and (occasionally) eat
With two days gone and two to go, my experience at the 2016 Midwest Regional in Chicago has been surreal. There has been no shortage of really cool moments: bumping into Reggie Miller outside of the Virginia dressing room, taking in the United Center under the bright lights before the first game at court level, …
Syracuse, Lydon block Gonzaga from reaching Midwest regional final
By David Mackey |@davidmackey_iii Sports Capital Journalism Program CHICAGO ⎯ Syracuse was leading Gonzaga 61-60 in the final moments of a Midwest regional semifinal Friday night as the Orange defended against the possibility of a season-ending basket. Gonzaga senior forward Kyle Wiltjer passed the ball to freshman guard Josh Perkins with 4.7 seconds remaining. Perkins …
Virginia surges past Iowa State to reach Midwest final
By Jack Carney | @jackwcarney Sports Capital Journalism Program CHICAGO — Virginia, a team known primarily for its defensive proficiency and deliberate pace, overpowered Iowa State offensively with superb ball movement and interior scoring in an 84-71 victory over the Cyclones in a Midwest regional semifinal at the United Center. The Cavaliers (29-7) advanced to …
2016 NCAA men's basketball tournament Midwest regional Sweet 16 predictions
By Sports Capital Journalism Center Staff Editor's note: David Mackey and Jack Carney, graduate students in the Department of Journalism and Public Relations at IUPUI, are covering the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinals and Final at the United Center in Chicago. Mackey, who earned a degree in Marketing at Northwood University in Cedar Hill, Texas, relocated …


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Home › Election 2012 › Is Obama Trying to Enslave You?
Is Obama Trying to Enslave You?
Posted on November 17, 2013 by Chris Ladd — 7 Comments
"In Virginia and the Carolinas they have a vast multitude of slaves. Where this is the case, in any part of the world, those who are free are by far the most proud and jealous of their freedom. Freedom is to them not only an enjoyment, but a kind of rank and privilege." – Edmund Burke, 1775
A Republican Congressional candidate in Florida this year produced a campaign ad depicting President Obama as the captain of a slave ship full of white children. That seemed outrageous, but it was only the beginning. The rash of Obamacare=Slavery rhetoric that followed the recent Supreme Court's ruling on the ACA has made the slave ship ad seem restrained.
This persistent "slavery" line has a deeper resonance than your run of the mill wacky Facebook post. It exposes an old understanding of the role of politics that poisons our culture and limits our ability to build a government that can serve our needs. We need to grow beyond this legacy, but first we must confront it. And time is running out.
The authors of the book Why Nations Fail explain that prosperity and political stability rise from open, inclusive public institutions. A rich network of broadly participatory institutions channel the public will into public policy, creating government with a deep well of legitimacy and responsiveness. By the same token, public institutions of the opposite character explain the persistence of oppression.
The authors also describe "The Iron Law of Oligarchy," the strange phenomenon that allows repressive institutions to recreate themselves even after a regime change.
"The internal logic of oligarchies is that they will reproduce themselves not only when the same group is in power, but even when an entirely new group takes control…Even when challenged, as US Southern planters were after the Civil War, their power remained intact and they were able to keep and even recreate a similar set of extractive institutions from which they would again benefit."
Institutions are far more persistent than any particular government and Southerners have inherited political institutions with a frightening history. Much of the white public still is leaning on political assumptions older than they can remember; a legacy of those repressive institutions.
While the rest of America embarked on a great experiment in open institutions and economic development the slave states lived under a regime as cruel and violent as any banana republic. For the planter aristocracy, maintaining power under U.S. electoral democracy was a thorny challenge demanding the maximum independence from Washington and a careful compromise with ordinary white citizens.
Slavery in early America was not limited to Africans and early on the distinction between European and African slaves was murky. A large number of European immigrants came to the colonies either as semi-voluntary indentured servants or as outright slaves. Many were kidnapped (see the origin of the term) from the streets of British port cities.
The Revolution had no direct impact on white slavery in the South. A failed 1800 petition to the North Carolina Legislature to free a white slave girl demonstrates that even after the Revolution there was nothing about the institution of slavery that provided inherent protection for whites (also see the fascinating 1857 Louisiana case of Alexina Morrison).
The planters understood that if the South's small farmers, tradesmen and merchants ever organized their own independent institutions their slave capital could be destroyed in a single election cycle. Over time the planters developed a racial alliance, a sort of unstated compromise with the white voting public. That alliance granted limited protection to whites by shifting the basis of slavery onto an ethic of white supremacy.
Racism among ordinary white Southerners was not merely ignorance or bias, it was a survival strategy. The subtle compromise between the planters and ordinary whites combined racial supremacy and a shared fear of powerful central authority to keep the aristocracy intact and the remaining white population more or less free.
The Southern formula for liberty became embedded so deep in our psyche that it's practically a genetic marker:
Freedom = Weak Government + White Racial Superiority
Tamper with either of those variables and you open the door to white slavery. The idea is so old and etched so deep that it has passed to our generation unchallenged. It inspired an enduring legacy of self-generated repression, a sort of crowd-sourced Fascism, able to perpetuate itself with little direction from above.
Freedom in that equation meant nothing more complex than being left alone. If your government is so corrupt that it enslaves a large portion of the population and consistently threatens to enslave you, then you aren't looking to that government to deliver schools, roads, infrastructure or other services. In the best scenario, that government is impotent and distant. That attitude toward government travelled wherever Southern culture went, from Oklahoma, to the Mountain West, to California's Central Valley, and elsewhere.
The Civil Rights Acts of '64 and '65 weakened the old compromise. A more muscular Federal government put Southern institutions on the defensive where they have remained ever since. Under pressure from in-migration, Federal enforcement, and the influence of global capitalism, the old formula is at last teetering on the edge of collapse, but that weakness has inspired a surprising rally.
Southern whites today, like my ancestors, still carry an almost primal fear that a strong central government could give unstoppable power to either wealthy elites or to minorities who would use that power to strip them of what they have (look again at the slave ship ad). Growing racial equality weakens ordinary whites' psychological ties to the wealthy. Hispanic migration scrambles the racial order, giving the wealthy a new source of labor and weakening the leverage of working whites. The formula is in trouble and much of the white public, rather than cheering the promising development toward open institutions and authentic liberty, is terrified.
As the Democratic Party grew hostile to the old formula Southern political institutions faced a unique challenge. The South has never tolerated multi-party democracy. In just over a decade, Southerners accomplished the remarkable transformation from single-party white Democratic rule to single-party white Republican rule as the defenders of the old ways fled into the nearly empty Southern Republican Party apparatus, overwhelming any resistance. Their growing power in the Republican Party has created a miserable muddle at a national level as party of Lincoln and Reagan struggles to absorb waves of fuming Dixiecrats hostile to much of the party's traditional, Hamiltonian message.
A cold demographic reckoning looms for Southern whites. Their domination of public institutions there will end soon, perhaps within a decade. They could use the time they have left to finally build services and social capital that support authentic community, respecting and serving the needs of all citizens.
They could construct fair systems for public education funding, set up rational tax structures, and build the kind of public institutions that foster compassion and understanding across cultural lines. They could cultivate tolerance and respect for diverse religious and cultural traditions.
They could make a choice to break the Iron Law of Oligarchy while they still have time. When political dominance passes to a new demographic coalition, that group could inherit effective public institutions that respect the rights of all citizens regardless of race or wealth. Public institutions could be so open and representative that race and ethnicity become politically meaningless.
Or they could go down in a destructive frenzy, tearing down public institutions, slashing the shared burdens of citizenship, and seizing every trivial scrap of lordship until the last vestiges of authority squeeze out between the fingers of their bleeding fists.
Demographic Karma can be a bitch. White Southerners will soon get the chance to live with the political institutions they constructed, under someone else's dominance. Whether they will reform those institutions while they have the chance is an open question that will find its answer sooner than most people expect.
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Tagged with: obama, obamacare, slavery
Posted in Election 2012, Neo-Confederate, Race, Tea Party
7 comments on "Is Obama Trying to Enslave You?"
CM Gwen says:
Brilliant! I am reading this on June 25, 2015, and no words could be more prescient than these (and I am a democrat). I wish this essay could be spread far and wide and the willfully ignorant, up until this point could finally come to grips with reality. Change needs to happen, not soon, but right now, immediately, and you succinctly spelled out the reason why without causing any one modern individual layperson to take offense. Rather that person, if they have any common sense would want to work towards the good of all humanity. Perfect!
Lifer, you really thought this one out. Possibly a side issue, but how important do you think women will be in helping expedite the institutional and cultural changes that are needed? I find women are generally more inclusive and tolerant because they've been underdogs for so long. Might they usher in the brave new world you describe?
Matt Campbell says:
I am encouraged to find another Republican like me.
That makes two of you, Matt (-:
Everybodhi says:
This doesn't sound like anything from the republicans I know or read about nowadays.
Don't they want to keep their hierarchal systems in place, assuring institutions continue as they have, keeping everyone in their place, some with more rights than others?
Doesn't being conservative mean fighting for the status quo?
Wow! Thanks for the outstanding "decoding" job. I had never seen this laid out so clearly and am surprised you didn't receive more comments on it. Shame– this is exactly the kind of dialog that needs to happen to bring this into awareness and stop this stuff from controlling otherwise reasonable people and party (at a subconscious level). Writing style also reminds me of Thomas Frank without the dramatic edge. While I'm surprised the GOP still allows you to participate, I appreciate your clarity on, and apparent opposition to the baser instincts of the southern right of the party.
Mary Kirkpatrick says:
Thank you! Those of us who believe in such things as education, infrastructure, and fairness should do all we can to shed the light of day on the strange mentality of the Tea Party.


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IAB, Online Advertising, Video
How VAST 4.0 Responds to Emerging Challenges in Digital Video Advertising: Part I
Written by Grégory Cornuz
Because VAST will help us solve some big problems in the ad tech industry.
The first piece in our series on video advertising standards, The Evolution of IAB Video Standards, traces the history of VAST, VPAID and VMAP. This second article explores VAST 4.0.'s response to market challenges through the creation of advertiser and publisher controls.
In January, the IAB published the fourth version of VAST specifications. The standard improves upon both advertiser and publisher controls, focusing on viewability, verification and ad categorization while taking into account the industry trend towards new screens and connected devices.
As with all other video standards, VAST grew out of the publisher's need to improve the monetization of inventory while remaining in control of both ad revenue and user experience. But what does a smoother operation mean in business terms?
Advertiser controls
Viewability and verification have become more important on both the sell side and the buy side. Both players are looking to maximize yield and verify investments; everyone wants to ensure they're paying (or getting paid for) the product at hand — a video that's actually viewed. For advertisers, it's also about having the option of comparing viewability measures between publishers. In other words, they want the ability to weigh their options when it comes to ad placement.
In 2015, disagreements over viewability and verification measurements resulted in sanctions by advertisers: Kellog stopped buying ads on Google-owned YouTube because the company wouldn't allow third-party vendors to verify whether or not ads had been seen and Kraft followed suit by reducing ad spend with certain publishers.
Mounting tensions as well as studies proving the discrepancy between counted video views and significant views forced the industry to re-think viewability measurements.
Ad verification and viewability execution
In the past, some were using VPAID as a way to measure viewability even though the standard was firstly created for ad interaction. This worked, but there were limits, such as the inability to display or measure ads on certain devices and certain players. VAST 4.0 brings something new — a designated space to insert measurement APIs, which streamlines the process for executing files that are dedicated to ad verification.
It's a plus for publishers too, as the new element in the VAST xml schema gives them the ability to track viewability on their inventory. Publishers are looking for a way to provide advertisers with a fair deal, too, and this new element will help them to do that. The result is a shared manner of measurement that eliminates the need for marketers and publishers to go through third parties.
VAST 4.0 publisher controls
VAST 4.0 viewability and verification measurements may benefit both advertisers and publishers, but there are certain controls built into the standard that are specifically geared toward the latter.
Separate video file and interactive file
With the objective of improving the quality of ad delivery, the VAST 4.0 tag provides the video file separately from any creative interactive API files, which means a more successful display of the video across platforms and devices.
VAST 4.0 has also added support for ad categories, which helps to separate competing ad creative on the same page or in the same ad pod. This is a big help for those publishers who wish to — for business or legal reasons — have a say in the types of advertisements that appear on their site. For example, a site geared towards child users might want to decline the delivery of violent or inappropriate videos, while an e-commerce site might want to improve brand safety by ensuring that ads from competing companies are not viewed. It's important to note that these ad categories are the same as those used by OpenRTB, which means VAST 4.0 provides publishers with better control of ad categories in both programmatic and direct sales.
Earlier versions of VAST were highly flexible, permitting 3rd parties such as ad networks to claim ad space with conditional insertions, but without guaranteeing the space would be actually filled (and monetized). Unfortunately for publishers, they didn't have any control over this buying method. Recognizing the problems this posed for the sell side, the IAB ensured VAST 4.0 could identify conditional ads, and allow the publisher to decide if they wanted to accept them or not, giving them better control over the monetization of video inventory.
This enhancement of control on both the advertiser and publisher side was driven by and will result in the continuation of the monetization of video inventory. However, when we look closely at what VAST 4.0 brings, we also see that standards are leaning towards greater support for new screens.
Stay tuned! The last article in this series will be on how VAST 4.0 addresses new screens and devices.
http://www.iab.com/guidelines/digital-video-ad-serving-template-vast-4-0/
http://www.iab.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/VAST_4-0_2016-01-21.pdf
http://www.iab.com/guidelines/digital-video-player-ad-interface-definition-vpaid-2-0/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tNj3YbI45c
https://www.jwplayer.com/blog/vast-vpaid-standardizing-online-video-ads/
http://adage.com/article/digital/brands-check-publishers-ad-viewability-math/298746/
http://digiday.com/platforms/future-digital-tv-advertising-5-charts/
http://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2015/07/14/why-is-dynamic-ad-insertion-for-tv-taking-so-long/
http://digiday.com/publishers/wtf-server-side-ad-insertion/
http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Netflix-Usage-Reach-More-than-Two-Thirds-of-OTT-Users/1013833?ecid=NL1002
The Rise of Out-Stream Video Formats
You'll get the real definitions of "in-stream" and "out-stream" in this blog post. You'll also learn why the industry is so excited about out-stream video advertising.
Romain Job	April 4, 2016
Mobile and Video and Programmatic! Oh My!
Smart's RTB Product Owner Elmostapha Beljebbar uses market data to explain the convergence of programmatic video on mobile in this keynote presentation at Tabmo's Programmatic Mobile Morning.
Maya Lawrence	January 22, 2016
Top 6 Digital Marketing Trends for 2016
What's hot in digital advertising this year? From Automated Guaranteed to in-stream to native ads, we cover it all.
Maya Lawrence	January 7, 2016


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Artibus et Historiae no. 13 (VII), 1986
SUSAN KOSLOW - The Curtain-Sack: A Newly Discovered Incarnation Motif in Rogier van der Weyden's Columba Annunciation (pp. 9—33)
Curtain-sacks, when depicted in certain contexts, such as scenes of birth and death and most frequently Annunciations, as in Rogier van der Weyden's Columba Annunciation (Munich), symbolize the Incarnation. Created by 1415 in Franco-Flemish circles, the symbol was used by numerous 15th-century Netherlandish, German, and French artists. That the curtain-sack was endowed with incarnational significance followed from its physical likeness to late medieval representations of the womb as well as to the abomasum of ruminants and curd-sacks. If womb-like in appearance, then conception could be imagined as analogically occurring within it. The embryogenic processes then invoked were Aristotelian. Central was a cheese analogy which likened foetal formation to curdling. Both the abomasum and curd-sacks stored curds and the former was even used to manufacture them. Through these associations, the curtain-sack became a potent iconographic symbol.
DIANE COLE AHL - Benozzo Gozzoli's Frescoes of the Life of Saint Augustine in San Gimignano: Their Meaning in Context (pp. 35—53)
This paper considers Benozzo Gozzoli's frescoes of the life of Saint Augustine in San Gimignano in terms of their iconographic, stylistic and historic significance. It proposes how the cycle reveals the Quattrocento's conception of Augustine during a period of intense religious reform, synthesizing a rich hagiographic tradition with the image of the teologian that the Order sought to promote at the time. The importance of the murals in Benozzo's own stylistic development as well as their contributions to Renaissance narrative are assessed. Finally, it reconstructs the history of the chapel's patronage through new documentary evidence. The donor's involvement with the Augustinian Osservanza suggests that the chapel may constitute a unique instance of reform iconography.
AUGUSTO GENTILI - Nuovi documenti e contesti per l'ultimo Carpaccio. I: L'Incontro di Gioacchino e Anna per San Francesco in Treviso (pp. 55—65)
New Documentation and Background Material for the Later Carpaccio. I: Joachim Meets Anne for the Chiesa di S. Francesco in Treviso
The altarpiece, painted by Vittorio Carpaccio in 1515, is analysed on the basis of the documentation and with regard to its iconography. Archive files and the recollections of scholars enable us to reconstruct the commissioning of the altar and the altarpiece, by Libera de Claudis in memory of her dead husband Alvise da Prato, in the context of the Chiesa di S. Francesco, a kind of local pantheon for the patrician families in Treviso. They also enable us to identify the saints at the sides as S. Luigi IX and S. Libera, the patron saints of the sponsors and to see in the emotional hug of the two protagonists in the painting a reference to private matters.
Anyway in the context of Franciscan thinking the choice of Joachim and Anne also serves as praise of the Immaculate Conception. Thus Carpaccio's altarpiece painted from the same church by Alvise Vivarini for the Lancenigo altar, with the same mingling of family remembrances and purposes of public worship.
CECIL GOULD - The Earliest Dated Titian? (pp. 67—71)
The Portrait of a Man in the Brera, Milan has been attributed to Savoldo and to Torbido and the date on it read as 1505 or 1510 or 1520. The present article reads it as 1510, at which date the painter was most probably Titian. It would therefore be his earliest dated work; and
X-rays now published for the first time reveal a very early example of a double portrait, as well as a different single portrait underneath.
CATERINA LIMENTANI VIRDIS - Italiam versus negociorum suorum causa. Osservazioni su Rubens e i suoi modelli in Italia (pp. 73—89)
Italiam versus negociorum suorum causa. Rubens and His Italian Experience
Rubens' use of source material varies widely; outright copying, concealed or multiple references, or transcription. It is however interesting to note how the adaptations and variations during his stay in Italy are all in keeping with an ultimate ideal model he follows - his favorite Italian artist. Then when he returns home all his previous models are also to be adapted to a new ideal model which is precisely Rubens' own style.
MARIA RZEPIŃSKA - Tenebrism in Baroque Painting and Its Ideological Background (pp. 91—112)
In the compositional structure of baroque art, one of the basic, most characteristic, means of expression is the way light and shade are used. In the paintings of quite a number of the artists from around 1600 the darkness deepens, dimming the outlines of the figures and objects, sometimes even predominating over the lit up parts. This tendency of style later called the maniera tenebrosa finds no correspondence in baroque art theory and was attacked by critics of the time.
However, in practice tenebrism was an extremely widespread current in painting. Darkness as opposed to light and at the same time complementary to it is an iconographic and psychological factor of significant importance in this new language of art. This cannot be solely explained by the influence of Caravaggio as is usually done. Caravaggio merely gave eloquent expression to this tendency which was born of a general background in the spirit of the time. This study is an introductory attempt at tracing what ideas and opinions went to contribute to the phenomenon of tenebrism and at the same time are a commentary on it. The answer to this question we do not really find in the art criticism of the time. An exception is Lomazzo's Treatise which introduced the extremely important idea of "sacred light". But there was a current of thought considering darkness as a value, as opposition but at the same time necessary complement to light. It may be found in texts dealing with other fields of intellectual life. In this regard is mentioned the theology of darkness in St. John of the Cross as well as fragments of the works of Kepler, Giordano Bruno and Galileo. There is also pointed out the frequency with which manuals deal with the projecting of shadows. The bulk of source material is supplied by the cabalistic and alchemistic doctrines with lengthy excerpts quoted from the works of Robert Fludd, Blaise Vigenere and especially Athanasius Kircher. The question of light and darkness is the most deep-rooted characteristic of baroque culture. This was also perhaps the only period in history when this question called forth so much speculation and achieved such great prestige, unheard of before then or ever since.
FRANCO BERNABEI - Venezia roman(t)ica e gotica (pp. 113—125)
A critical historical analysis of the Romantic period in Venice, that is in the 1800's, means to be sure dealing with an image of dreams and desire, a close but at the same time, ever so distant response to the problems of European society of the time, oriented in the perspectives of industrial positivism. But it also poses a more complicated and particular problem within the history of art at present busy tracing the historical and geographic guidelines of medieval Italian architecture - Romanesque, Gothic and Byzantine.
JOYCE BRODSKY - Delacroix's Le Lever, Cézanne's Interior with Nude, Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, and the Genre of the Erotic Nude (pp. 127—151)
This article investigates an example of the practice of three artists, Delacroix in Le Lever (Collection Maxime Citroen, Paris), Cézanne in Interior with Nude (Barnes Foundation, Merion Penn.), and Picasso in Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (Museum of Modern Art, New York), for purpose of exploring a theory of genres built upon artists' use of other artists' work. Such a theory would engender a model of style in which style would emerge as genre, that is the pattern of sequence of constancy and change of a motif grounded in the social nexus the motivates the particular blend. It presents a view of the artist as a conservator, rather than a radical innovator, whose ability to vary inherited motifs preserves what is constitutive of a culture.
JINDŘICH CHALUPECKÝ - Les ready-made de Duchamp et la théorie du symbole (pp. 153—163)
The Ready-Mades of Duchamp and Theory of Symbol
The ready-mades of Duchamp are not provocations, as frequently supposed, but ultimate consequence of his effort to deprive the work of all sensual attractivity and concentrate it to its meaning. They are in the tradition of romantic conception of the symbol and of romantic irony as well.
ROELOF VAN STRATEN - Panofsky and ICONCLASS (pp. 165—181)
The article consists of two main parts. The first is a proposal for improvement of Panofsky's iconographic theory. His famous three-level scheme is changed into a scheme of four levels of meaning in works of art. This enables us to define the terms Iconography and Iconology much better. The revised "scheme of Panofsky" is exemplified at the case of Vermeer's Woman Holding a Balance (National Gallery of Art, Washington). The second part of this paper is an introduction to the ICONCLASS iconographic documentation and research system. In recent years, the theory of iconography has found some renewed interest among scholars working in the field of (computerized) iconographic documentation. The ICONCLASS system, with its bibliography and alphabetical index, solves many iconographic documentation problems, by combining several layers of meaning; working with ICONCLASS means working along the lines of the revised "scheme of Panofsky". By the use of a particular painting representing the Choice of Moses, an example is given of how the system works.
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[microsound] LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR AN MA DISSERTATION	PROJECT??!
I am looking for voluteers to be part of my MA Dissertation project from the north west of England. Respondents would nedd to be willing to give away a vinyl copy of a record they no longer want, partake in an oral history interview, and have some photos taken of their collection in their homes.
The thesis title is "Scratching the Surface - Cleaning the dust off vinyl memory: Recontextualising the lost sonorities of forgotten records."
Anyone interested please contact either via this e-mail or phone Paul on 07734107289.
than "Re: Contents of microsound digest..."
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> > noise.  Any low-end equipment out there that's worth a darn?


"The book with this title has been out of print for some time, but we are frequently being asked for it. There are some difficulties in reprinting at present. We have several waiting to go to the printers, but the Lord will have to facilitate in the matter. We do feel that this book, The Battle for Life, has a vital message for our time, and we have therefore decided to reproduce it in A Witness and a Testimony... There are some slight alterations and additions in its form as here."
The Undying Flame - The Lord's Standard of Judgment - The Nominal is Ultimately Rejected.
The Lord's Jealousy Over Life (1) The Tree of Life (2) Cain and Abel (3) Noah (4) Enoch (5) Abraham and Isaac (6) Job (7) The Exodus (8) Levitical Law of Life - A Life that is Eternal - The Persistent Assault Upon Life.
A State of Disorder in the Creation - Death and Satan Positively Associated with that State - A Need Arises - The Cross the All-inclusive Answer.
"Manifested in the Flesh" - "Justified in the Spirit" - "Seen of Angels" - "Preached Among the Nations" - "Believed on in the World" - "Received up in Glory".
The Nature of the Conflict - The Sphere of the Conflict - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh - Life is Deeper than our Consciousness.
The Higher Realms of the Battle and the Testimony - The Range of the Battle and the Testimony - The Comparison of the Corinthian and Ephesian Assemblies (1) The Place of Man (2) The Place of the World (3) The Difference in the Order at Corinth and Ephesus.
The Progressive Nature of the Conflict (1) The Fact (2) The Divine Reason (3) A Deterrent if Regarded in a Wrong Way - The Necessity for Fellowship.